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AUS-8 can be awesome when it's given a heat treatment with high hardness and low levels of retained austenite, so-so with a medium-high hardness and low levels of retained austenite, and gross at any hardness with high levels of retained austenite. The problem is that the heat-treatment can vary from knife to knife within the same brand.

Can I slightly hijack the thread and ask how close AUS6 is to AUS8. I think that's what my kershaw vapor is and you guys have described my impression of it exactly. Easily sharpened, scary sharp, won't keep it long.

I've handled it, but never used it. My friend says that it's good, but not as good as a company that specializes in AUS 8 such as CRKT. Benchmade's knives that are AUS 8 are made in Taiwan, not here like the good benchmades out there. Benchmade's low stuff isn't as good as CRKT's high stuff. Just a self thought of logic.

Emerson Reliant in aus8

I have an emerson reliant in aus 8, back up to emerson mini com.

It does get scary sharp quickly, as far as getting dull fast, i really haven't used it enough to make a comparison with the 154cm on the minicom, though it would be a weird surprise if it turns out that the reliant holds an edge better than the minicom.

according to cutleryscience.com aus8's ability to get a real smooth edge makes it perfect for push cutting, so i guess even with just aus8 on my reliant, the blade shape gives me the same push cut capability of the more expensive cqc7, if for only a stab or two at most.

AUS-8 can be awesome when it's given a heat treatment with high hardness and low levels of retained austenite, so-so with a medium-high hardness and low levels of retained austenite, and gross at any hardness with high levels of retained austenite. The problem is that the heat-treatment can vary from knife to knife within the same brand.

I can't give the steel numerical ratings, but I do enjoy using it.

I totally agree, Have a CS Pendleton in AUS-8 (Older model as now they're made w/VG10) that will hold an edge with the best of 'em! I think this batch had a superior heat treat. a hunting buddy was so impressed he got one too and its no way as near as my particular model's edge retention.